Approval for Perth rubbish to power plant
Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of Perth rubbish could soon be turned into electricity after WA's Environment Minister gave the city's first "waste-to-energy" project the go-ahead.
As flagged last in _The West Australian _, Albert Jacob has given the green light to plans by Perth-based New Energy to build a 16MW power plant in East Rockingham subject to conditions.
The decision follows the recommendations of the State's environment watchdog last year and paves the way for first plant of its kind in Perth.
Costing up to $180 million, it could be online by as early as 2017.
New Energy has already been given approval for plans for a similar plant in Port Hedland in the Pilbara.
In a letter to the company this week, Mr Jacob confirmed his decision to approve the East Rockingham project although he noted it would still require authorisation from other relevant authorities.
New Energy chief executive Jason Pugh hailed the decision, saying it would help Perth take significant strides towards improving its traditionally low recycling record.
Under New Energy's plans, the East Rockingham plant would convert about 225,000 tonnes a year of household waste into enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes.
